How Long to Keep Lights On

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Hey guys I was just wondering how many hours a day it's ok to keep our tank lights on...right now I have a Noopsyche K7 V3 and I have sunrise set for 7 AM and lights out at 9 PM...from what I've heard from others, this is a typical length of time...I was wondering though if there might be any downsides to me making lights out more like 10 or 11 PM though since that's when I sleep...what do you guys think?

 

[DE FISH]

I have a 11 hour light period ramping up for two hours during sunrise and a hour ramp down for sunset. Set the times that suit you for viewing purposes.

 

[Acros]

I believe that’s a very long photo period. 8 hours peak with 1 hour ramp up and 1 hour ramp down is a good place to start.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

10.5

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Well I definitely won't extend the light period then...out of curiosity, what are the downsides to having the lights on a few hours too long? Is it just not natural?

 

[Acros]

Algae. Some corals could show stress (if the photoperiod is not extended gradually). Mostly all kinds of algae will start to explode.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Well I definitely won't extend the light period then...out of curiosity, what are the downsides to having the lights on a few hours too long? Is it just not natural?

I don’t see a problem for about 12

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Ok, thanks guys... I'll shorten it a little

 

[Duffer]

for 5 years i have the following and my tank shows no issues

1 1/2 hr ramp up
9 hrs lights on
1 1/2 hr ramp down

total 12 hrs

10 am to 10 pm

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

for 5 years i have the following and my tank shows no issues

1 1/2 hr ramp up
9 hrs lights on
1 1/2 hr ramp down

total 12 hrs

10 am to 10 pm

I'm not having any issues right now but just wanted to check with some people more experienced than myself before making a change like extending the light period and now I'm glad I asked!

 

[LeftyReefer]

I believe that’s a very long photo period. 8 hours peak with 1 hour ramp up and 1 hour ramp down is a good place to start.

Wouldn't 12 on/off mimic nature the closest?

 

[EricR]

Wouldn't 12 on/off mimic nature the closest?

Depends on location and time of year (nature, that is)

EDIT -- my statement was technically true but I was just joshin' around a bit (bored and being silly)

12 hours total with a couple/few of those hours dedicate to total ramp up/down times feels about right to me, but I'm new to corals.

Back to shenanigans -- throw in some periodic low-light days to mimic inclement weather with your high-tech light controller, if that exists???

 

[Acros]

Wouldn't 12 on/off mimic nature the closest?

Don’t think so. How many hours of peak sunlight do corals get in their natural env?

There are people who run a longer photo period successfully, That being said, 12 hours is not too long.

 

[Midrats]

Why not just have them turn on a little later so you can enjoy the tank until you go to bed? I run my lights 8 hours, 2pm-10pm.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Why not just have them turn on a little later so you can enjoy the tank until you go to bed? I run my lights 8 hours.

That's what I'm thinking about doing because I don't really watch it until later in the day anyway...I particularly like sitting down in front of my tank after a long day and relaxing

 

[LeftyReefer]

I run my lights 12 hours total.
2 hour ramp up, 2 hour ramp down, 8 hours at full intensity.

I'm only home in the evenings (at work all day) so I have my lights on all evening, so I can enjoy the tank while I'm home.
my lights start ramping up at 1PM, get to full intensity at 3pm, stay at full intensity until 11PM and then start ramping down and turn off at 1AM. 12 hours on/off.

 

[Koh23]

There i see trend on short light period, ramp up, down, left, right.....

But the best result i saw (and have) is with long light period, 12-14 hours....

Yes, the peak intensity shouldnt be longer than 8 hours, but, lower intensity is also important....

Corals need light, simple as that....